Viral Bar Mitzvah Dance Routine Criticized By Some For Being Too Lavish
DALLAS (CBSNewYork) -- A Bar Mitzvah boy whose lavish, Broadway-style entrance turned him into a YouTube sensation has also brought some harsh criticism for what some have called an over-the-top party.
As CBS 2's Kristine Johnson reported Thursday, Sam Horowitz, 13, wanted to make a big entrance at his Bar Mitzvah party, and he did.
More than 400 guests at the Omni Hotel in Dallas watched a white chandelier descend onto a stage of professional dancers.
Inside was Sam, ready to join a choreographed routine.
"When I was like 7, I went to a concert and the singer, some performers came out of chandeliers. And I was like, 'oh my God, I want to do that,'" he said.
Sam is no stranger to performing. He's been acting since he was 3 years old.
"It's like one of my passions," he said.
"He loves to entertain and it's really a big part of his personality," said Angela Horowitz, Sam's mother.
A video of his performance at the Omni last fall has been seen more than 478,000 times on YouTube.
Another video with family and friends lip syncing the song "Call Me Maybe" has racked up another couple thousand views. It kicked off the Bar Mitzvah.
"I'm so fortunate to be able to do things like that and it was definitely the best day of my life," the teen said.
Online comments have responded with praise and criticism for the lavish celebration.
Sam's mother pointed out that her son also worked hard leading up to that night to raise money for underprivileged children in Israel as part of his coming-of-age ritual.
"I know who we are and I feel good about who we are and I feel good about what we do and I feel great about the lessons I'm teaching my children on how to give back to your community in all sorts of ways," Angela Horowitz said.
Sam said he doesn't expect to throw another party like this, at least not until his wedding.
"My mom's probably already planning it," he joked.
Sam said he rehearsed his routine three hours every weekend for a month.
His mother wouldn't say how much it cost to pull it all off.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
